How Does Tipping Work in Peru?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Americas
1The Quick Answer
Tip around 10% at tourist restaurants and tip guides generously (50–100 PEN per day), but always check whether service is already included on your bill.
2What You Need to Know
Service charge (servicio) is sometimes added to restaurant bills in Lima and tourist areas, so inspect the bill before tipping. At upscale and tourist-oriented restaurants, 10% is standard when not included. Guides and porters on treks such as the Inca Trail depend heavily on tips — 50–100 PEN per day for guides and 30–50 PEN for porters is appropriate. Hotel porters, housekeeping, and taxi drivers appreciate small tips but they are not obligatory.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Check the bill for 'servicio incluido' before adding a tip — double-tipping is easy to do accidentally in tourist restaurants.
- 2Carry small PEN notes specifically for tipping guides and porters; they rarely have change and the gesture means a great deal.
- 3On multi-day treks like the Inca Trail, pool tips among your group and hand them directly to the crew at the end for fairness.
How does this compare?
Tipping rules in nearby and similar countries:
Tip 10–15% at restaurants; also tip taxi drivers, hotel staff, and petrol station attendants.
A 10% service charge (gorjeta) is usually already included on restaurant bills and is optional to pay, but small extras are appreciated.
Tipping 15–20% is expected at restaurants in Canada, as it is a core part of service-industry compensation.
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